Paul-Henri Nargeolet (Mr. Titanic) Net Worth [OceanGate Passenger]

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Net Worth:	$1.5 billion
Profession/Career:	Explorer and underwater archaeologist
YouTube Channel:	None
College:	Did not attend
Major/Degree:	None
Full Name:	Paul-Henri Nargeolet
Date of Birth:	March 2, 1946
Place of Birth:	Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Haute-Savoie, France
Height:	5’ 9”

Table of Contents

Frequently Associated

Who is Paul-Henri Nargeolet?

Paul-Henri Nargeolet, also known as P.H. Nargeolet, is a renowned French explorer and underwater archaeologist. He is best known for his involvement in the search and exploration of the RMS Titanic, the famous luxury liner that sank in 1912. Nargeolet has participated in over 35 expeditions to the Titanic wreck site, using his expertise in deep-sea diving and underwater exploration to document and study the remains of the ship.

Throughout his career, Nargeolet has been involved in numerous underwater exploration projects, including the search for historic wrecks and the investigation of submerged archaeological sites. He has dedicated his work to uncovering maritime history and preserving underwater cultural heritage.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s Net Worth

Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 billion.

He has worked in many prestigious positions throughout his career, including:

Commander (French Navy)

Sub Pilot (French Navy)

Explosive Ordinance Disposal Officer (French Navy)

Ship Captain (French Navy)

Clearance and Deep Diver (French Navy)

Director of DESM, Deep Diving Equipment (IFREMER)

Executive Director (Aqua+, Canal+)

Director of Underwater Research (E/M Group)

Director of Underwater Research (Premier Exhibitions/RMS Titanic, Inc)

However, it is clear to anyone that no matter how prestigious these titles are, none of them could have gotten him to his estimated net worth of $1.5 billion. His fortune lies in family money, which at some point he inherited along the way, though it is unclear exactly when.

He is a shareholder of Premier Exhibitions, which owns RMS Titanic, Inc (RMST). In 1987, Titanic Ventures was awarded title to artifacts it had retrieved from the Titanic, but it decided to sell its interests in salvage operations to RMST the same year.

RMST currently has the sole salvage rights to the Titanic wreck and thus effectively owns it. The ownership of the Titanic has been challenged numerous times in the past, including by oil tycoon Jack Grimm as well as the insurance company that covered the Titanic and paid out compensation when it sank.

However, the Liverpool and London Steamship Protection and Indemnity Association reached an agreement with RMS Titanic, Inc in 2007 regarding ownership for an undisclosed amount, solidifying its stake and ownership of the Titanic.

For perspective, the Titanic cost $7.5 million to construct in 1912, which translates to roughly $400 million in today’s dollars. The items recovered thus far from the Titanic, which are mainly owned by RMST, have been valued at over $189 million for roughly 5,500 separate items.

Interesting Tidbit About the Attitude Towards Billionaires in France

Paul-Henri Nargeolet is one of about forty billionaires that exist in France, and a study done by the Financial Times shows that roughly 80% of the wealth of billionaires in France are inherited. That means roughly 32 of the 40 or so billionaires in France fall into this group.

However, billionaires in France also tend to keep a low profile due to the popular French sentiment that billionaires hoard money and generally shouldn’t exist. Coupled with the actual existence of violent protests against the rich (relative to the US), and the oft-referenced saying by Jacques Rousseau that “When the people shall have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich,” it generally is a good idea to keep one’s head low as a French billionaire.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s Most Well-Known Feats

Paul-Henri Nargeolet has achieved notable accomplishments in the field of underwater exploration and archaeology.

Exploration of the RMS Titanic: Nargeolet has been involved in multiple expeditions to the wreckage site of the RMS Titanic. He has played a crucial role in documenting and studying the remains of the iconic ship that sank in 1912, contributing to our understanding of the disaster and its historical significance. He has made the trip over 35 times throughout his life, more than any other figure in history.

Expertise in Deep-Sea Diving: Nargeolet is recognized for his expertise in deep-sea diving, particularly in challenging conditions. His skills have been instrumental in conducting underwater research and exploration, including the recovery of artifacts and the investigation of submerged archaeological sites.

Preservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage: Throughout his career, Nargeolet has focused on the preservation and protection of underwater cultural heritage. By participating in various expeditions and projects, he has worked to uncover maritime history, raise awareness about the importance of preserving underwater sites, and promote responsible exploration.

Co-leader of the 1985 Titanic Expedition: Nargeolet served as the co-leader of the 1985 Titanic Expedition, which was one of the earliest missions to explore the wreck site. The expedition involved the use of advanced technology and innovative techniques to capture high-resolution images and video footage of the Titanic.

Participation in Titanic Follow-up Expeditions: In addition to the initial exploration, Nargeolet has been involved in subsequent expeditions to the Titanic wreck site. These missions aimed to further document the ship’s condition, gather additional data, and contribute to ongoing research and preservation efforts.

Expert in Underwater Imaging and Documentation: Nargeolet possesses extensive knowledge and experience in underwater imaging and documentation techniques. His expertise has been crucial in capturing detailed visuals of the Titanic wreckage and other underwater archaeological sites, allowing for comprehensive analysis and study.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s Family, Wife, and Children

Nargeolet was married to his wife Michele Marsh up until 2017, when she tragically passed away after a valiantly-fought battle with breast cancer. Her career prior to that was as an anchorwoman for a local channel. Paul and his late wife have a daughter named Sidonie Nargeolet. He also has a step-son named John Paschall.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s parents are both passed away, having left him an enormous inheritance at some point.

Awards and Accolades

Nargeolet has been granted the distinction of Honorary Lifetime Member of the Explorers Club, an international society that promotes scientific exploration and field research.

He’s also been recognized within the field of underwater archaeology and maritime history for his contributions to the exploration and documentation of the RMS Titanic. Additionally, Nargeolet has collaborated with various research institutions and organizations, working alongside experts in the field of underwater exploration.

Paul-Henri Nargeolet’s Philanthropy

Paul-Henri Nargeolet has not been known to partake in any form of philanthropy, or if he has, it has been kept very discreet.

OceanGate’s Titan Submersible and the US Coast Guard Search

OceanGate Inc. is a private company that provides manned submersible services. It was founded in 2009 and is based in Everett, Washington, USA.

OceanGate’s submersibles are designed for deep sea exploration and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as scientific research, commercial exploration, and film production. They’re known for creating innovative technology in this field.

One of OceanGate’s key achievements was the development of the Titan submersible, which was designed to reach depths of up to 4,000 meters (approximately 13,123 feet). Titan was notably used for expeditions to the wreck of the Titanic.

The company has also been working on other submersibles like the Cyclops-class vessels that are designed to reach even greater depths. Cyclops 2, for instance, is intended to reach depths up to 6,000 meters (approximately 19,685 feet).

In June of 2023, Paul-Henri Nargeolet was a participant of the Titanic viewing mission. Unfortunately, during the descent, all contact was lost and after roughly 12 hours of not hearing back, he and the other participants, which included multimillionaire Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood, Stockton Rush (CEO of OceanGate), and billionaire Hamish Harding, were reported as missing.

A US Coast Guard search was initiated. The latest news at the time of this writing is that a debris field was found near the Titanic wreckage consisting of parts that are believed to be from the Titan submersible, indicating that a likely implosion had occurred. All five are presumed to have passed away on June 18, 2023.